The Dinner Book

Following the TAKE 5 AND COOK concept of using 5 ingredients only, the first book in the TAKE 5 AND COOK book series, THE DINNER BOOK, will take you on a journey of seasonal flavors.

TAKE 5 AND COOK — THE DINNER BOOK is now available. Buy your copies on Amazon, or order directly through us.

Make the Most of Every Season

Spring and Summer…
Spring and summer are a time of anticipation and excitement, when we look forward to treats like asparagus and strawberries. Think of red currants, raspberries, spring lamb and new potatoes. And then we enter into the plenty of summer produce – tomatoes somehow taste better, corn arrives and glorious stone fruit reign supreme for a time. We celebrate this time of year with picnics in the park and barbeques at home or at the beach. Enjoy long light evenings and summer afternoons with these beautiful flavor combinations.

Autumn and Winter…
As the temperature cools, we look forward to the comfort food that comes with autumn and winter. The season moves, we pull out our ‘woolies’ and light the fire. This time of year offers us new choices — pears, apples, chestnuts, quinces. We happily retreat indoors and take solace in hot chocolate and old-fashioned puddings. The occasional offering of something preserved or dried can be truly appreciated in its opposite season but we let go of light, salad type fare and look forward to long, slow-cooked pots of magical offerings that, in their own way, are equally satisfying.

Simple and Fabulous Recipes

THE DINNER BOOK contains 120 simple and fabulous recipes, which will add a wow factor to family dinner time and dinner parties for friends.

It’s important to aim for balance across three courses so the flavors, textures and richness of the individual recipes are complementary. All dishes are designed to serve six but are easily adapted.

With a little effort, a few gorgeous ingredients and some beautiful tableware, THE DINNER BOOK will guide you through taking over the world at dinner time!

Readers’ Reviews

Have a listen to Margôt’s interview with Radio New Zealand (29 November 2013): click here!

Click here to read David Burton’s review of TAKE 5 AND COOK — THE DINNER BOOK in the Dominion Post (18 December 2013); or read Anna Tait-Jamieson’s review in her blog here.

“Wonderful book Margôt… truly, a very different, useful and gorgeous book. I have cookbooks which are in a cupboard and cookbooks on display and yours will definitely take pride of place on my kitchen shelf. Love the organisation of menus. I am forever going through several books to find my ideal course combinations and then putting sticky notes in them to remember where to turn to. So your system is the best, and love the bookmark too. But most of all love the recipes, love the gorgeous photos, love the uniformity of text and photo and can’t wait to try everything.”
—Frances Underwood

“The books arrived today, thank you so much , very exciting!
What a beautiful book, well worth waiting for – it has inspired us to choose a couple of things to cook this weekend — great timing arriving for the weekend.” —Debbie MacIntyre